September 22, 2020 - Split Open, part of the ATP Challenger Tour, will be held at the Firule tennis center from September 28 to October 4, 2020. For the first time in history, an international world-class tournament from the ATP system will be held continuously in Split.

When Roland Garros begins, an ATP Challenger Tour will be held in the Firule area of Split from September 28 to October 4, 2020. Thus, tennis returns to Split after 22 years, and one of the most deserving people for that is the tournament director Ismar Moralic, a tennis fan who lives in Zagreb.

"The tournament was supposed to be played in April, but due to the coronavirus, we managed to fight for a new tournament. Qualifications for the main tournament begin on September 26. We are glad that the tournament is of exceptional quality, even though it is played in the week of Roland Garros. The last tennis player to enter the main draw is 180th in the rankings. This is a fact that even some tennis tournaments from the main series of $500,000 cannot boast," said Moralic, and then added:

"The tournament is played under extremely strict measures prescribed by the ATP and the Croatian Institute of Public Health. We will strictly adhere to them. We are happy that the spectators will be in the stands, and we will know how many there will be 48 hours before the start of the tournament. Some of the special features of the tournament are the reduced number of people on the court. During the matches, the line umpires will not be until the semifinals. From the semifinals, only three line umpires will be allowed alongside the chief umpire and a smaller number of children to collect. From the first day when this tournament was proposed, the City of Split, the County, the Split Tourist Board, and the Public Institution Sports Facilities stood behind us."

The importance of this tournament for the city of Split was emphasized by the department head for social activities, Mate Omazic.

"At the first idea when Mr. Moralic called us, we reluctantly accepted it to give a boost to tennis. We know that the club has young talents, and they are trying to restore the splendor of Split tennis. I hope this will contribute to the development of the sport. The plan was late April, early May. It is an ideal term, pre-season, we hope that we will have that term from 2021. We expect good tennis," said Omazic.

County head for education, culture, and sports Tomislav Đonlic pointed out his satisfaction that tennis is returning to Firule.

"Firule gave birth to big names in Croatian and international tennis. Goran, as the greatest we all carry in our hearts, but also those before and after him. I am glad that this initiative has not been abandoned. Congratulations to everyone involved in the organization. We hope for this to become a tradition. The county will be there as a partner in the implementation of this project," said Đonlic.

On behalf of the Sports Facilities Sports Institution, Tomislav Borozan pointed out the good cooperation with the Split Tennis Club 1950.

"From the day when the City of Split fully entrusted us with the maintenance of this tennis center, we have taken our work seriously. One tournament like this is an added wind at our backs. Our cooperation with TK Split 1950 is at an excellent level; we are very satisfied. We were sorry that the tournament was postponed, and these days we will work if necessary in three shifts to get everything ready."

On behalf of the Split Tennis Club 1950, President Ivica Kekez spoke about history.

"This year, we are celebrating 70 years of playing tennis in this area. The founders were tennis enthusiasts and devoted their entire lives to working with children. This has resulted in people like Nikola Pilic. I assure you that our coaches, all of them who work with children, can work in any international center. We now have a tournament that is a stimulus for all children to continue to develop and have strong players in the future, which will be good for Croatian sport."

Source: Dalmatinski Portal

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August 14, 2020 - In August, Split boasts an increasing number of tourists, and since the beginning of the month, almost 160,000 overnight stays have been recorded, which is 51% of the overnight stays achieved in the same period last year.

Dalmacija Danas reports that hotel accommodation recorded 60% of last year's overnight stays, private accommodation 51% of last year's overnight stays, and the most numerous are tourists from Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, and domestic tourists.

“The successful and timely response of all important actors in tourism has led to results that are favorable in the context of a global pandemic. According to the announcements of arrivals in August and the airlines' plans for flights to Split by the end of September, it is to be expected that tourist traffic will continue to grow. The continuation of the season will largely depend on the epidemiological situation for this reason through social networks, and through offline communication, we tell tourists to adhere to the prescribed measures and recommendations. In our info centers, we give them free masks. In this way, we send the message that as a destination, we care about preserving their health, but also that cooperation is extremely important to achieve a common goal. We also take care of safety when organizing events, so all events are held outdoors in compliance with epidemiological measures," said Alijana Vuksic, director of the Split Tourist Board.

August in Split continues with numerous events. Up next is the finale of Split Summer, which, in addition to the traditional Judita Award, will be enriched by the concert of Massimo and Mostar Sevdah Reunion at Sustipan. Urban Culture Revival festival - Evo Ruke! this year entertains many domestic and foreign visitors at the unique location of Split's Djardin, the theater under the stars will bring culture, laughter and fun to the Gripe Fortress, and classical music lovers can enjoy the Summer Charms of Classical Music and the seventh edition of the Piano Loop festival. The Split House of Language and Culture, the Kula Gallery, the Art Gallery, the Galic Salon and the Split Photo Club have prepared interesting exhibitions, and the Bacvice Open Air Cinema offers a diverse and exciting program for all film lovers.

This Friday, August 14, at 8 pm, the favorite event 'Roman Life' returns to tourists in an edition adapted to epidemiological measures. Domestic and foreign tourists have the opportunity to experience the ancient history of Split through Diocletian's footsteps. Every Friday, Emperor Diocletian, with a Praetorian Guard, goes out to the front of the Peristyle and takes a walk of our city.

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May 5, 2020 - As part of the #TogetherInSplit campaign, the Split Tourist Board and Fabrique Pub are bringing a touch of the Sv. Duje tradition to your homes on May 7.

Namley, a mobile stage will be touring the Split neighborhoods where Marko Pecotic Peco and his band will sing Dalmatian hits. The Split Tourist Board wants all citizens at their windows and on their balconies to send a video message of community on Split's City Day. 

"The traditional Sv. Duje feast has, for many years, awakened Split citizens in a spirit of community and belonging. Even though we are physically separated, this will be a unique postcard from Split on the day of the Sudamja celebration during the pandemic, so let's all go out to our windows, balconies and show that we are a small city with a big heart. After our collective postcard, enjoy the unique concert of Peter Graso in an empty Peristyle," said the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.

"Guided by the message of the #TogetherInSplit campaign, we wanted to thank our guests and fellow citizens for their many years of support and all the moments of fun and friendship we spent at the Fabrique pub. We have gathered our co-workers and friends, and we thank them for their engagement and for showing us that we are truly together during these difficult times. Special thanks to Marko Pecotic Peco and his band, the Apodos company for providing the panoramic bus, photographer and cameraman Ranko Pupic from Studio Smile and his valuable crew who will record reactions from your balconies, and the Split Tourist Board," said Fabrique pub.

The mobile stage will depart at 6 pm from the taxi stand near the Tourist Palace on the Riva. You can find the locations on the route below:

Bačvice- Firule taxi stand- Križine bus station - Mertojak (Elekrodalmacija)- Kila- Pujanke- Kampus- Vukovarska- Kacunar- Kman- Brda- Dubrovačka- Kazalište – Skalice- Stari plac- Krom- Lazarica- Poljud- Sv. Frane.

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May 5, 2020 - The City of Split and the Split Tourist Board, in cooperation with Dalmatia Concert and sponsored by OTP Bank Split, are bringing Split citizens a special treat for Sv. Duje on Thursday. Petar Graso performing in an empty Peristyle.

"Unfortunately, traditional festivities in Split will be absent this year. We will celebrate Sv. Duje without the buzz, the crowds, the procession and the mass on the waterfront, the raffle and the Sudamja Fair; without a great concert and fireworks, without everything we have done with all our fellow citizens for years. This year will be different than ever, but I still believe that the feast of our patron saint will be celebrated in our hearts and with our families. To all the citizens of Split, but also all the viewers of Croatian Radio and Television, on the day of Sv. Duje, we bring you a Peter Graso concert from Peristyle. Although we are forced to be physically separated, let us be together on Thursday evening in front of small screens in this unusual, different and I believe beautiful celebration," says Split Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara.

Petar Graso also shared his impressions:

"I am a child of Split, Split is my home, despite the fact that I have been in it for the last twenty years. If it had not been for these specific circumstances, I, unfortunately, would have been out of Split on this Sv. Duje. But as it usually is, different circumstances dictate a different life plan, and so one of the strangest, and in some ways, the most beautiful concert of my career happened, a concert without a single person in the audience."

Graso also says that if someone had told him last year that he would play in front of an empty Peristyle and be most honored, he would have thought it impossible, but given the events of the past months, he is delighted and honored on this occasion: "I am happy to have the privilege of having a concert in one of the most beautiful squares in the world in my city, and giving it to both my Split and all the people who will be at home on Thursday evening in front of small screens. This is a concert of optimism, a concert of light and celebration. We were looking forward to it; somehow we seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel we've all been in for the past two months," Graso concludes, wishing this would be the last concert before an empty Peristyle.

The concert will be broadcast on Split's City Day on Thursday, May 7, on the second program of Croatian Radio and Television.

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May 2, 2020 - Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vuksic talks about the kind of tourist activities we can expect during the corona crisis.

The coronavirus pandemic has posed a significant challenge to the whole world, and at a time when the #stayhome message is still in place, the tourism sector is particularly at stake.

On the topic of what kind of tourist activities can be expected during this crisis, Slobodna Dalmacija spoke with the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vuksic.

"In a crisis, it is first and foremost important to think strategically and positively. The situation is changing day by day, each market has a specific situation, so we follow the recommendations of competent national authorities and those globally such as UNWTO, especially monitoring the situation in our leading markets, in the UK, USA, Germany and France. Still, we also plan to focus on those markets that are the most stable in this situation," says Split Tourist Board Director Alijana Vuksic, and points out that in such crises, we must first think about changing the target markets.

"All important facts must be considered; for example, more trips will be made from destinations accessible by road, so we will directly communicate in that way. It is very important to emphasize those tourism products that are in high demand in a given situation, that is, to identify which products are. We have the advantage that Split and its surroundings is a destination that offers a full range of tourist products throughout the year.

Thus, through communication, we will emphasize those products that allow people to maintain social distance, such as sports, recreational and nautical tourism, but also health tourism, because if measured and mitigated, it is estimated that social distance could last until 2022," says Vuksic, adding that since the first day of the crisis, they have continued to communicate with their partners and tourists, via social networks and internal channels, while listening to experts' estimates of possible scenarios and tourist movements.

"I take the opportunity to announce the 'Together in Split' campaign, which, like many destinations, will inspire people with creative content to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. This will send a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated. With this campaign, in addition to the message of community with tourists, we want to primarily send a message of community to all tourism professionals in Split. We will invite employees of all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join this campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communication with other digital channels, as this form of communication is now crucial. In this first phase of the campaign on our Facebook and Instagram profile VisitSplit, we have many interesting things to come, such as the 'Conference Call' section, through which our guides will tell interesting stories about Split, the 'Heritage quiz', which is a cultural knowledge quiz about Split, and interesting stories from our Welcome magazine. There are also recipes from our restaurants and hotels through the 'Cook o'clock' section and many other exciting things," the director announces.

"The fact is that the expectations from this season are very low compared to the previous year's record, only 10 to 15 percent, and according to the estimates of the Institute of Tourism, significant market stabilization will happen at the end of next year, so we will direct certain activities accordingly. Of course, I note that the situation could change day by day, so we regularly monitor changes in all markets. We will all bear the brunt of this crisis, and thus the system of tourist boards remains without revenue, but I am sure that together we will overcome this situation with the help of all measures and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the local government, or the City of Split. We are ready to do our best to bring benefits to our local community with minimal investment," says director Alijana Vuksic, and when asked if there is a chance for tourism to come to life, she says:

"Tourism is the most affected sector in the corona crisis and it will take time for the system to stabilize. This is an opportunity to build responsible and sustainable tourism based on quality offers and to channel communication messages properly. The situation we are in further emphasizes the importance of developing other branches of the economy. The chances of tourism coming to life depend solely on the epidemiological situation and adherence to the prescribed measures and instructions. As a tourist country, we are currently in a very good situation because we have strengthened the image as a health-safe destination, but it is still very uncertain as the situation can change, and it largely depends on the epidemiological picture in the main markets."

If tourists come to Split, how might it look?

"Tourism is partly possible if we all adapt properly to the situation and directions. Split also offers a range of outdoor activities that help maintain social distance, and it is precisely these contents that we will strive to present to the maximum to our local guests in the second part of the campaign. When it comes to foreign markets, we are monitoring the further development of the epidemiological situation and measures introduced at higher levels such as the "corona-passport" and accordingly, we will emphasize the specific offer through communication.

In the end, I will quote the message of our campaign that we want to emphasize encouragement, because in this situation, my team and I see an opportunity for new beginnings, new ideas and, above all, an opportunity for the community that we all often miss.

The world stopped because it was the only way to go again. The people parted, because that was the only way they could help each other.

But soon, travel will bring strength and love back into our lives, it is in human nature to move and to travel. And then, Split is here to offer you its beauty, heritage, lifestyle. We are waiting for you, we will be together again in Split," concludes the Split Tourist Board director.

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April 26, 2020 - Together in Split is a new campaign by the Split Tourist Board that will inspire tourists with quizzes, cuisine, videos, and more.

As we announced earlier this week, the Split Tourist Board launched the #TOGETHERINSPLIT campaign to communicate with a narrative and message according to the current situation - stay home, travel later.

To announce the campaign, the Tourist Board released the first video in the campaign, created by a small team of members of the Split Tourist Board, led by director Alijana Vukšić, who was asked about the campaign and its expectations for the season.

"'Together in Split' is the name of a campaign that will, through creative content, inspire people to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. It sends a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated, which is just the meaning of the name of our city.

My team and I have been planning this campaign and the right time to launch it since day one of the crisis. With this campaign, apart from the message of community to the tourists, we want to send the message of community to all tourist workers in Split. We invited all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join the campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communicate with other digital channels, as this form of communication is currently crucial,” said Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vuksic. 

So, how will the new campaign evolve?

HRTurizam writes that the first phase of the campaign will run until the end of June, while in the second phase, depending on the situation, the emphasis will be on local guests.

“This is a very difficult time for all of us, but together we can turn something negative into a positive. We decided to replace our fears for our own health and the health of our loved ones, insecurity, existence and other fears with community, positive attitudes, expertise, creativity and friendship. The result is the #TogetherInSplit campaign. We invite everyone to join us in this campaign by sharing videos and creating and sharing content that we will publish on our profiles,” said Alijana Vukšić.

Thus, according to the campaign plan, every day, different content will be published on the Tourist Board's Facebook.

Namely, Mondays are reserved for a 'Heritage Quiz', through which the cultural heritage and exciting contents of the Split museums are presented. Tuesdays are for ‘Virtual Split’, showcasing videos from travel agencies to videos about Split and content that shows how to social distance while traveling (through active tourism, nautical tourism, family facilities.)

On Wednesdays, gastronomic tours and gastronomic offers of local restaurants and hotels are promoted through recipes, photos and videos in the ‘Cook O’Clock segment, while on Thursdays, the Tourist Board showcases all services keeping the city safe - like doctors, police officers, traders, and volunteers, through stories about individuals or by posting their pictures and videos (i.e.,  Red Cross workers dancing) for ‘Thank You Thursday’.

On Fridays, ‘Friday Story’ will share interesting stories about Split and its inhabitants.

On Saturdays, the ‘Conference Call’ segment will feature travel guides sharing unique stories about Split.

On Sundays, ‘Take me back to Split’ will ask followers to send their pictures from trips in Split and encourage their daydreams about coming back to Split.

Thus, the Split Tourist Board is the first of all Croatian tourist boards to launch a concrete campaign and communication during the coronavirus crisis. 

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April 21, 2020 -  The Split Tourist Board has launched a video campaign to inspire future tourists. Introducing 'Together in Split'!

We were delighted to announce a new video campaign by the Split Tourist Board, which was published on the VisitSplit Facebook page today. This video is an introduction to the #TogetherInSplit campaign created by a small team of members of the Split Tourist Board, led by director Alijan Vukšić, who was asked about the campaign and its expectations for the season.

 A press release from the Split Tourist Board director:

"'Together in Split' is the name of a campaign that will, through creative content, inspire people to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. It sends a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated, which is just the meaning of the name of our city.

My team and I have been planning this campaign and the right time to launch it since day one of the crisis. With this campaign, apart from the message of community to the tourists, we want to send the message of community to all tourist workers in Split. We invited all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join the campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communicate with other digital channels, as this form of communication is currently crucial.

It is a fact that the expectations from this season are only 10% to 15% lower than the record last year, but according to the estimates of the Institute of Tourism, significant market stabilization will be at the end of next year, so we will direct certain activities accordingly. Of course, I note that day-to-day changes are possible, so we regularly monitor changes in all markets. We will all bear the brunt of this crisis and the system of tourist boards remains without income, but I am sure that together we will overcome this situation with the help of all measures and the government, as well as the local authorities, or the City of Split. We are ready to do our best to bring benefits to our local community with minimal investment.

Finally, I quote the message of our campaign that we want to send a message of encouragement because my team and I, above all, see in this situation an opportunity for new beginnings, new ideas and, above all, an opportunity for the community that we all often miss.

The world stopped because it was the only way to move forward. People parted ways because only in that way could they help one another. But soon, travel will bring strength and love back into our lives; it is in human nature to move and to travel. And then, Split is here to offer you its beauty, heritage, lifestyle. We are waiting for you, and we will be together again in Split."

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 16, 2020 - Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara presided over a session of the Tourist Board of the City of Split on Monday.

In addition to the members of the Council and the Tourist Board Director Alijana Vukšić, the President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Split County Chamber Jozo Tomaš participated, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

Following the findings and projections of the coronavirus on tourism in Split in the coming months, it was decided that the mayor would send a set of measures to the City Council to mitigate the negative effect.

The need to preserve jobs in the tourism, hospitality and economy sectors as a whole was also discussed, and it was stressed that incentive measures would only make sense if employers did not lay off existing staff.

“This emergency has not only health but also economic significance. Of course, our priority is health, but at the same time, we are monitoring and addressing the economic segment to mitigate the negative effects of the crisis that will follow after this first phase. That is why we are not waiting for the epidemic to end to start dealing with the consequences that will affect the tourism and the economy as a whole, but we must act immediately,” said Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara.

They also discussed the period after the end of the crisis, the need for enhanced promotion of the tourism product, and the measures and incentives for the recovery of the hospitality, tourism and economic sector in the Split area.

“The Tourism Council and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce are monitoring the development of the situation and are constantly looking at the effects that the spread of the virus has on the local economy. By working together and acting and taking certain measures, the aim is to support the Split economy, tourism and hospitality industry to start and continue its growth and development trend as soon as the crisis is over.”

Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli said that the Government would travel the tourism sector with a measure of delayed payment under the "3 + 3" model.

“It is important for us to have a delay, such as a deferral of payment of the tourist tax, tourist membership fees, hoteliers paying concessions in camps on tourist land - that all go for delays through the 3 + 3 model. In this direction, we are going to postpone it depending on the events for three months. That way, both personal income and everything we can deal with immediately and urgently is likely to be addressed. So we're sure we can cover that for the next six months. Workforce protection and liquidity come first," Cappelli said.

Follow the latest coronavirus updates on the dedicated TCN section.

March 10, 2020 -  A new map helps your kids learn about the rich history of Split.

More than 1,700 years ago, Roman Emperor Diocletian built himself a palace close to his birthplace, but even he could never have dreamt that it would grow into such a wonderful city as Split. Today, Diocletian's Palace is not a museum; it's the heart of Split, open to everyone, and among its guests are many families with children. That was exactly the intention of the Tourist Board of Split to offer something completely new to children - a city map with content aiming at children and families traveling with kids. However, this map offers even more - to learn about the rich history of Split in a way suitable for children.

This map will be available in all Information Centers of the Tourist Board of Split. It includes locations of cultural institutions suitable for kids, like museums and theatres, but also other content, like sport facilities, playgrounds, spaces for outdoor activities, workshops, beaches, etc. On the map's opposite side you can see the historical city center with Diocletian's Palace. Short, simple texts describe the city's most important landmarks; Basement Halls, Peristyle, Palace Gates, Bishop Gregory's statue, Sphynxes, markings hidden on old town's walls, and many more. Following directions, any child will be able to solve simple tasks that make a stroll around the Palace even more fun. The slogan chosen for the map, 'Play and Learn About Diocletian's Palace,' speaks for itself.

Of course, one of the important goals of this map is promotion. The Tourist Board used it to invite children and their parents to post their photos of Split landmarks on social media, using hashtag #SplitForKids. That way, they will spread a word about Split and invite children to become friends of the city.

Author: Split Tourist Board / Ivica Profaca 

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February 26, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board comments on coronavirus and its effect on tourism.  

The extent to which coronavirus will affect tourism in Split is still unknown, but as the Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić revealed, the bookings are going according to plan for now. Still, they will know more after the Berlin fair, reports Dalmatinski Portal.

“The World Tourism Organization recommends that travel is not canceled and that tourist traffic is running normally,” said Vukšić.

She also said that they are being cautious and monitoring the situation day by day, but the best indicator will be the recent Berlin Fair. Everyone is waiting for the situation to develop by then.

“Given that tourism is a susceptible industry, the appearance of coronaviruses will surely be affected; we just hope it will be short-lived and that the situation will normalize quickly. A large part of our fellow citizens live solely on tourism and, therefore, we do not need to raise tensions and be too worried, but we have to be careful,” the director concluded.

A second case of coronavirus infection was confirmed in Croatia overnight. The person was in close contact with the person identified as the first case, and a third person who was in contact has initially tested negative, the head of the Fran Mihaljević hospital for infectious diseases, Alemka Markotić, said on Wednesday.

The persons infected are exhibiting mild symptoms, they receive the necessary medication and no complications are expected, Markotić told a press conference at the national civil protection headquarters.

"We have started to administer an antiviral drug that is otherwise used in HIV cases because it might be effective," she added.

Media say that the second person to contract the coronavirus in Croatia is the brother of the young man who tested positive on Tuesday. The young man works with the Ericsson Nikola Tesla company in Zagreb. Last week he had been to Milan, Italy with his girlfriend to watch a Champions League match; she tested negative.

A total of 72 people in Croatia have been tested for coronavirus so far.

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